To be decidedly below fifteen.
We never showed, as we need hardly mention,
That fabled ignorance about the stars,
From earliest days we spoke about 'declension,'
And argued on the atmosphere of Mars;
While parents we put up with, more attention
We paid towards another kind of "pars.";
Full soon was lit the journalistic flame,—
We lisped in leaders, for the leaders came.
That foolish custom, which, at present smothers